All Blackburn with Darwen residents who are registered to vote are being encouraged to go to the polls this week for the local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

It is not just the local elections taking place on Thursday, May 5 – the PCC elections are also being held. Police and Crime Commissioners oversee how crime is tackled in your police force area. Their aim is to cut crime and to ensure your police force is effective.

Elections will also be held for seats on Darwen Town Council.

Polling stations across the borough will open on the day at 7am and close at 10pm. Postal votes are already being returned to be counted.

The count for the local election will take place on Friday morning and the count takes place on Friday, May 5. The PCC count will take place in the afternoon.

Harry Catherall, Returning Officer for the local elections and Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), said:

If you are registered but don’t use your vote you miss the chance to have a say in how things are run in your community and the chance to have to choose your Police and Crime Commissioner.

Every vote can make a difference, and the right to vote in elections is an essential part of being a member of an open and democratic society. I would urge all residents to exercise that freedom and have their say.”

For further information on the elections there is information on www.blackburn.gov.uk.